Army Corps turns down calls to replenish Mississippi River

1:52 PM,
Dec. 8, 2012

Written by

JIM SUHR
and JIM SALTER

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Army Corps of Engineers has turned back requests by federal lawmakers and the barge operators to release more water from the Missouri River, believing the drought-starved Mississippi River it feeds still will remain open to shipping. The industry, however, warns that the situation is growing increasingly dire.

Army Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy, in a Thursday letter obtained by The Associated Press, told lawmakers from Mississippi River states she doesn't consider it necessary to boost Missouri River flows into the Mississippi - something the politicians ...